What are my chances?

quote:

by steve: Wow, is Bee always that cynical?

hey, I'd love for some-one with NO credentials to prove me wrong

on the othe hand - - many here are giving a guy w/no crdetials false hope

quote:

many here are giving a guy w/no crdetials false hope

Bee,
This is a senior in high school and you are an adult or is this person possibly someone else? At first I thought it was the son of a friend of mine that I referred here, and I am thankful it turned out not to be him.

Bee,
Do you coach? Man I hope not. If so, you should be fired immediately. Have you ever been around someone who's terminally ill? I'd hate to think you truly don't believe there's such a thing as false hope.

BBrlz,
Coming out of HS I was a 5'11" 175 QB. I was looked at by a couple D2 and D3 schools. But I wound up playing for a few yrs at a D1AA school. Mainly because I had a solid work ethic, and people who supported me. Does size help? Yes. But it's not everything. Keep lifting. There are lifting programs that are out there that can help with your weight. But in BB, you don't have to be huge. Work hard and believe you can get there. And for god's sake don't give Bee the respect by replying to his ****.

Bee>,

When I saw your first post in this topic, I was hoping that you were trying to help this player decide to stand up for himself and prove the naysayers wrong. But some of your ensuing posts sound just plain mean! Yes, this player can use some realistic advice, but insulting and ridiculing him is not right!

You gotta get yourself out there also,send question ares and emails to promote yourself.Your are like a product and the only way companies(colleges)that are going to get to you is by promoting your self. and also dont worry about you being 5'11 150 because i am the same weight and a senior also. im not very muscle like but i have some and pack a good punch and pretty good outfielder and player. i quote "ITS NOT THE SIZE OF THE DOG IN THE FIGHT,ITS THE SIZE OF THE FIGHT IN DOG"

To all of the people who say that I need to be realistic with this whole thing, I completely agree with you and trust me I am being realistic. I never once boasted saying I was D1 or D2 material. However one thing I am being realistic about is putting the time and effort to be able to do what I love and that is play the game of baseball. I am completely dedicated to becoming a better ballplayer.

That being said,there are four classes in New Hampshire baseball: L,I,M, and S. I play in class I and have faced some pretty good competition. Class I is by far the strongest. My Sophomore year we faced Jeff Locke a lefty who was clocked at 95 and got drafted 51st by the Braves. I've also faced D1 players and prospects. The overall competition in the state as a whole is weak however.

You have a PM.

BBRulz -
That's great that you have faced at least some good competition. But, in the end, it will come down to your skills and how hard you are willing to work.

If you are dedicated as you say you are, then you must take charge now and not wait for someone to "find" you. Pick up the phone and call the schools that you are interested in. Reach out to and take the advice of knowledgable baseball people (Coach May made quite an offer).

The time is now....good luck!

quote:

However one thing I am being realistic about is putting the time and effort to be able to do what I love and that is play the game of baseball. I am completely dedicated to becoming a better ballplayer.

I for one am a person who greatly respects persistance and it appears that you have that trait.

Take your above quote and your academic record along with some personal baseball info and make sure you get it to every DIII program you might be interested in.

There are DIII programs that will give any player a chance. Some that are more interested in fulfilling enrollment than winning baseball games. It might not be your ideal choice, but you have to decide if playing baseball is that important to you. It sounds like it surely is that important. That is all anyone can ask for... a chance to prove themself.

Best of luck and let us know how things turn out. Do your thing and everyone here (Bee included) will be pulling for you.

Im only 5'11 and 150 lbs. I dont have alot of competition to play against. I have not been contacted by any coaches. Some would look at this and see obstacles. I see opportunity. An opportunity to show that you belong. An opportunity to show that you can compete. An opportunity to live a dream.

Now it is up to YOU to quit thinking of things as obstacles and start looking at the opportunity you can have. You are young. You can decide your path in life. Or you can allow others to choose that path. Get off this website and start researching D-3 schools in your area. JUCO's in your area. If you can not get any of them to give you an opportunity then reach out to other areas. There are people that will help you. But you have to help yourself as well.

You are not a finished product. You are a product willing to improve and dedicated to being the best you can be. Go out and sell who you are and what you are willing to be. Good Luck

quote:

Now it is up to YOU to quit thinking of things as obstacles and start looking at the opportunity you can have. You are young. You can decide your path in life. Or you can allow others to choose that path.

You are not a finished product. You are a product willing to improve and dedicated to being the best you can be. Go out and sell who you are and what you are willing to be. Good Luck

I kid you not, I said exactly the same thing to my son tonight and it wasn't about baseball. This is a universal idea, choose your path or it will be chosen for you.

What are your chances? It's an interesting question, but one which is pretty hard to answer, other than the chance is clearly better than zero. But if you could know the answer, how would that change your actions over the next few months? If it were only 10%, would you forego your HS senior season? Would you not bother to attend the showcase?

My point is that the question really ought to be: "What class of schools should I target?" Actually, looking at the several posts you've made here, I think that is your implied question, and there have already been some good responses to that in this thread. Ask your HS and legion coaches, go to the showcase and get a 60yd time and a gun reading on arm strength (or just find out how far you can long toss). Ask the showcase operator to give you an honest assessment.

Probably the answer will turn out that you should be targeting DIII and NAIA schools. If so, go after them, and don't look back.

For DII and DIII schools, videos can be very important. I spoke with one of the assistants for recruiting for our college team (DII). He said videos are important for them because they have a limited budget, and cannot afford to do much scouting besides local high schools. I'm sure there are many other baseball programs in the same situation.

Regarding your size, take a look at Tim Lincecum. 5'11", 170 lbs at 23 years old. David Eckstein is 5'6". Size helps, but what matters is if you can play the game.

quote:

That being said, you have a player (me) who is 5'11 and just cracks 150 and a 5'11-6' player who is close to 190-200, they both have the same amount of talent, who are you more confident with?

In this scenario I'm looking at one kid who may have maxed out and another I'm wondering what he can do when he adds thirty pounds. The scouts are looking at more than your current size. They're looking at your tools and your potential, including your potential size.

To this point you still haven't responded to my question reagarding foot speed and throwing velocity. What's your time in the sixty? How hard do you throw? I'm asking questions to get past my skepticism.

If nothing else there are D3's where any good high school starter can play. Getting drafted is probably stretching it. But you can be part of a team for four more years. You play the game until the game tells you you're done.

Start doing the work. Here's a start. These D3 conferences all have schools in New England. The NESCAC may be out of your league academically based on the grades and SAT's you posted.

Great Northeast Athletic Conference
Commonwealth Coast Conference
New England Women's & Men's Athletics Conference
New England Small College Athletic Conference
North Atlantic Conference
University Athletic Association
Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference
Little East Conference

Here's a link to a list of every D3 college in the country including links to their websites. If you think you're good enough try Southern Maine or Eastern Connecticut. They're teams that get ranked nationally at that level. TR can probably tell you a lot more about New England schools.

quote:

He said videos are important for them because they have a limited budget, and cannot afford to do much scouting besides local high schools. I'm sure there are many other baseball programs in the same situation

Great point. Most schools are on a budget and many attend the same events year after year. The chance of the coaches finding you are not as great as people would like to believe. A lot of it is pure luck that your stars are aligned and you perform well in front of a coach who has a spot for you and likes what you have shown.

baseballrulz

It would help everyone here to know what events you have attended previous to now--- having desire is great but what are your tools---footspeed, arm, bat etc==you have given no idication other than your feel you are undersized---HOGWASH

By the way my son coming out of HS was 5-9/150 and played Division I baseball at New Mexico State so I am not going to pity the smallish player---in fact our team roster every fall has players your size on it


And also my son was from the Northeast and a very weak HS baseball program

Dustin Pedroia hopes to be 150 pounds someday.

quote:

Originally posted by BaseballRulz1789:
Since most of you seem to be very knowledgable about the game, I figured I'd ask you.I've been playing baseball my entire lifeand I have dreams to continue to play as long as I can.
I'm entering my senior year.After high school I have aspirations to play college baseball and even pro baseball.However I havent got a look from any scouts not even division 3 schools. I've been starting on varsity since my sophomore year and play outfield. I batted around .330 last year and for the legion team i hit.400. I have dedicated myself to the game of baseball and feel like my game will improve greatly next season.
The problem that I have is that I'm a very small player. I'm only 5'11 and weigh around 150. I also don't have much muscle to me, but I have been lifting.
My main question I guess is what is the likelihood of me playing college baseball(any division) and from there do I have any shot at being drafted, if I continue to hone my skills. Should I continue to chase this dream or should I face reality? I fear that no matter how much I practice and train it will never be good enough for college or even the bigs, can. What should I do?

In less than 24 hours this post generated 63 (now 64) replies and 1398 views.
Responses ranged from the cynical to very valid questions asked by those responding to really great encouragement and advice. I liked CM's advice, get off the website and do something if you really want it badly enough. He even extended an invitation to help evaluate this player. This is why the HSBBW is such a great place, so many willing to take their experience and help others.
I have not seen any indication from BaseballRulz that he read and understood all responses to what was being suggested, just a bunch of excuses and not even one thank you. I am not sticking up for anyone, but just like Bee>, I am a little bit leary of the true reason for this post and knowing Bee, that is his style of response. In his defense, a question was asked he gave his answer and that was his opinion. I agree with him, the answer is no to both questions, but he forgot to add "if you are not going to do anything but give excuses" . He was being a bit harsh, but he did post what others were thinking.

BaseballRulz I challenge you to come back and answer some of the questions asked and after reading this what will be your course of action? Do you want it bad enough? What are you going to do about it? Prove Bee wrong. As you get older, you will find that life is full of great challenges, only the ones who accept those challenges and respond to them move ahead.

Folks, we must remember, you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink.

Were responses posted in vain? No way, because someone else in the same situation will read this and possibly follow advice given, so all is not lost.

Bee only posted what others were thinking and feeling. Not everyone but some. I understand where he is coming from. Sometimes I think people come on here to get pity and a hug and when they realize they are actually going to get some advice that is going to cause them to have to do something they go away. Bee has seen this type of poster many times and so have I. Hey , feel sorry for me. He just doesnt buy into that stuff or care about that stuff too much to say the least.

Coach,
Then take that approach. Tell him not to come out here looking for symapthy. Don't tellthe kid he has no shot.

I would agree that people were thinking what Bee> was saying. I am more concerned about the lack of apparent effort which in some ways is just as important as his skill level.
We haven't got a clue if he has ability or potential.

I dont see anything wrong with getting all types of advice even advice that others do not agree with. If he does not act on the advice he is given then Bee is correct "He has no shot". If he continues to find excuses instead of looking for solutions "He has no shot". Maybe Bee was right all along? I dont know. But I dont have a problem with someone speaking their mind. Even if I dont agree with it or how it is said.

I have never understood why we get more caught up in answering the wrong questions first.

The first question should always be...is he/she accurate/right?

If the answer is yes, then it would seem everything else is only marginally significant, if at all. Never subscribed to the "how he said it" camp...was always much more of a "what did he really say" person.

We see many kids from NH so it cannot be that he is not aware of what is there for him to use to his benefit---funny he has not responded to requests for further info regarding his ability

If everyone replied with the same answer, it would be nice, but very unrealistic. I actually feel there were many good responses to the young player. Much of what might help him. Personally I think what "Bee" posted is fairly important. If every post were to send his same message, maybe that might not be so good.

I liked TPM's message about how the replies to this and other threads can sometimes help many others who are in the same situation, but not comfortable posting. Maybe it is important to consider that at times in these discussions.

quote:

Originally posted by PGStaff:
If everyone replied with the same answer, it would be nice, but very unrealistic. I actually feel there were many good responses to the young player. Much of what might help him. Personally I think what "Bee" posted is fairly important. If every post were to send his same message, maybe that might not be so good.

I liked TPM's message about how the replies to this and other threads can sometimes help many others who are in the same situation, but not comfortable posting. Maybe it is important to consider that at times in these discussions.

I don't post much, but have learned immensely from others questions and inquiries. I'm sure there are many in the same situation. That's why it is important to maintain civility on the board. Blunt and cynical posts only make the author feel good about him/herself. No need to pound our chests and pump our egos...

I don't know what you guys want me to say. I can't answer the speed question because I can't remember the last time I got timed, but that's why I'm attending the showcase in February. I don't get the personal attacks against me. I simply came on here to get input from all of you on my situation and all thats happening is me getting attacked by half of you.

As far as sympathy goes, why would I come on to a website and ask for sympathy from people who I don't know? As far as making excuses for myself I'm not, but the simple fact is that recruiters look more at states where baseball is played year round and New Hampshire is not one of those states.

In case any of you missed it I stated that I have been working out daily to improve my game,which means that I am actually doing something about it. I never came on here for sympathy, just for opinions.

You got opinions and advice and still you tell us nothing about yourself and your ability or lack thereof

Bbr-
Good to hear you're going to the showcase in Feb.

What schools/coaches have you personally tried contacting (via email, phone call, responding to an online quetionaire)???

Are you going to call TRhit? Several people have suggested this. While I personally have never talked to him, I respect what he has to say here, and it is pretty apparent that a number of eperienced posters on this board value what he has to say.

Sounds like you are serious about the game and wanting to improve. But now you need to get serious about the recruiting. Your age AND geography require YOU to be PROACTIVE in contacting schools.

I wish you best of luck!

I've made some form of contact with a few D3 coaches.However, at this point there is not much else I can say to them because they've asked me for my personal profile and recommendations, which I'm still in the process of doing. I need to get that stuff before I can continue to talk to them. However, I still have yet to get accepted to those schools because im waiting to hear back.

Three schools is w-a-y too few schools to be contacting. Multiply that number by about 5 or 10. A personal profile and recommendations should take no more than one week to complete and secure, IF you make them a priority and communicate a sense of urgency to those making the recommendations, which you definitely need to do. Time is of the essence!!!

I don't think I am speaking out of turn here, but TRhit owns/runs College Select Baseball.
Here is their link:
College Select

This organization is highly respected. TRhit, good bad or indifferent, doesn't sugarcoat anything.

The main reason I recommended him is due to geography. If you are at all interested in playing college ball in the Northeast, his organization can help, as long as you have the talent! (Notice, I didn't mention anything about size)....

You started this thread asking for opinions. While some posters are willing to give their 2 cents worth no matter what, others (like TRhit) want as many facts as possible before they express their opinion.

Take the time to call or email him. His contact info is on the website.

Again, GOOD LUCK!!

BBRulz,

Get your profile together and the best references you can think of (High School Coach, summer coach, any good baseball person) and send it along with the information about attending a showcase soon. Tell them you will send them any feedback you get from the showcase or ask them if they could attend. Unfortunately you don’t have a lot of credentials to pass along right now (so it seems), but you also need to move the process along.

Sometimes what a player writes can create a lot of interest. I would include words to describe your desire, work ethic, goals, and any other strong points (as you have done in this thread). I would leave out any excuses or complaints. Be respectful, honest and positive with communication to coaches. Give them a reason to think about you in a favorable way.

Take it for what its worth, best of luck

BBR-
For the credentials of TR....it should be enough that you have people form - literally - all over the country recommending that you speak to him and discuss your situation. Not only me, but several others as well. That should be good enough to start. You need some help and he can provide some of that. However, as Coach May has clearly stated....the majority of the responsibility rests with you. You came here seeking advice....you have gotten it. Now, you must act.

The folks you have received advice from here are knowledgable, supportive people - even Bee. Heed the words you are given and act.

Keep us posted on your results - good or bad. You will find that folks here do care. Good luck.

BaseballRulz1789,


I agree with many posters about going to a camp or showcase. In my sons case he is recovering from a injury going into his Junior year. This presented problems for him because this is the time he wants to be seen. Luckily for us my son has been to camps and went to a P.G Showcase when he was a sophmore. What we did was just attach his P.G profile when e-mailing colleges. Even though this was only a state showcase which is one of Perfect Games smaller ones, it gave coaches enough info to peak interest. We have had replies wanting to see more after he recovers and starts throwing again.




My point is that not only do you have to be seen so they can know who you are. You also need to be evaluated by someone so you know how you compare with other players. I don't know TRhit personally but it sounds like he is close and may be able to give you a true assesment of your skills. I wouldn't let anyone's post bother you. In the end you are the one that will make the decision to either use someone's advice or not. Most of the people on this forum truely are here to help. Good luck, and if playing baseball is truely your desire do everything possible to make that dream come true. When you get older you want to look back and know that you did everything you could to succeed.



Banditsbb

wow - - interesting thread
alotta views, prolly checking out all the websters agreeing
or websters citisizing others with whom they disagree, then offering no opinion of their own



the good side - bbrlz now has some very good advice ranging from - -
"atta boy .. you can do it" to my "swift kick", which btw I'd have given to my own in the same situation ... along with a chat w/TRHit

even a non-athlete hs sr should be very well informed re colleges at this point - AND should have narrowed down a pile of college options as well (just a few months before hs graduation)

just a few more observations -

1) 5' 11" ht isn't a handicap

2) my son graduated from a very demanding DI school with similar hs ACT scores

3) a post grad yr is also an option if late bloomer

4) daughter now wants a jeep

5) the Indy-Tenn NFL game should be negated w/both teams being eliminated from play-offs and Fisher/Dungee locked up after admitting to colluding/cheating/fixing the outcome of their game during the actual game
which also btw knocked the Browns out!

6) I do wish bbrlz the best, tho if someone would'a given him a kick as a soph he'd now be 185# (on lasagna alone) & wouldn't bee 2 yrs behind the recruiting timeline

Bee -
You are right on on your # 6!

Yep the old #6!

I'd bet he's right on #4 as well, although that won't last...it'll be a beamer again soon.